SITRATHAI P0DI /சிற்றரத்தை பொடி

About  Chitharathai ( Lesser Galangal ):-

    Chitarathai is native to India, leaves dull dark green, lighter undersides. White with yellow and red variegated fragrant flowers resembling snapdragons.  It has very narrow foliage and stems and is a prolific plant. The medium size white and red flowers are attractive and appear on upright inflorescences. Chitharathai has nice reedy foliage but there is not much else going for it. This will only bloom on second year growth. A herbaceous plant which grows up to 1.5 m height. Leaves are green, glossy, long and narrow, 15-30 cm long and 2.5-5 cm broad. Rhizomes narrowly oblong, much branched and grow horizontally in the soil. Corolla segments are yellowish white and streaked with purple veins.Leaves, flowers and rhizomes are aromatic.

Internal Benefits of  Chitharathai ( Lesser Galangal ):- 

• Digestive and respiratory ailments in infants and children

• Rheumatic ailments

• Digestive problems

• Cough, headache, fever and indigestion

• Increases sperm count.

How to Consume  Chitharathai (Lesser Galangal) Internally:-

• Chitharathai for Cough: For cough with sputum, a piece of rhizome of this plant is slowly chewed. This is also good for vomiting issues.

•Chitharathai for Infants and children : For all sorts of digestive and respiratory ailments in infants and children, this rhizome is baked or heated and given after mixing with honey and breast milk.

• Chitharathai for Rheumatic Ailments :1 to 3 gram of powder of this rhizome is administered thrice daily for rheumatic ailments.